On Thursday, Banks, 26,¬† had his first practice with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League, a four-team minor league circuit. He hopes to be on the field Wednesday in the Locos home opener against the Virginia Destroyers.

‚ÄúThere was a point in my life where I literally had to put football aside to survive in prison. I came home in 2007, went to junior college, and then had to wear a GPS tracking device and I could not play football. But I never lost faith, and I never lost that passion for it,‚ÄĚ Banks said at a press conference on Thursday.

Locomotives coach and general manager Jim Fassel says Banks, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound linebacker, has the character to excel at professional football.

"I can only imagine the toughness he has had to show over the last however many years. For him to clearly set his goals and go after them, he‚Äôs mentally tough. He has all the characteristics you want of someone on your team," Fassel, a former NFL coach, said at the press conference Thursday.

Banks worked out with NFL teams earlier this year and they told him what he needs to do to make it to the sport's top level. Then he got the call from the Locomotives.

‚ÄúThis has been an amazing journey,‚ÄĚ he said Thursday. "This is big, a giant step to my overall pursuit of playing in the NFL. I think this is the best way to gain experience. I thank God for the opportunity.‚ÄĚ

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Yep, a woman can make a false accusation, a man can serve up to +40 years in prison. If the woman is found out, she gets a "misdemeanor" conviction with a fine. Is there any justice? There is a down side to all this unfairness... A lot of guys will not convict on a jury unless the evidence is absolutely 100% rock solid.

The downside to making a woman get felony convictions for false accusations, tragic as a false statement may be, is she is not motivated to come forward and exonerate a man if she feels a prison sentence is on the other side.

But on the other side, these 'ladies' might think twice about spurning a man she is angry with by making up such stories. We need to focus time and court cost on nailed real rapists to the wall for their hideous crime.

I imagine that they could press charges for filing a false police report, however, that may only me a misdemeaner. Also, the statute of limitations may have run, which leaves no leagal recorse. I wish this man all the best. He's had a long tough road, but by God, he's still standing. He still has a shot to live his dream and it sounds to me like he doesn't plan to give up any time soon. As for the young lady, if you can call her that, karma's a bi.ch!!!! This I believe. It is a shame that she can't be prosecuted for her lies! I agree that she should spend as much time in jail as he did. Too bad they didn't put her name out there for all the world to see that she a terrible person! What kind of person does something like to another. It says a lot about her!!!

Nothing happened to her at all. I read an earlier article following Banks' release from prison, where his attorney mentioned that the "victim" had contacted Banks wanting to "start again". It's pathetic. This young man did nothing wrong, went to prison for 5-6 years, lost his chance to go to college and play in the NFL, all because some bint lied.

It's simply not right. And I wish this young man all the luck in the world.

If I were in his shoes, I'd probably be angry and outraged at the world for being wronged the way he was. But this man stood up and made something of his life, despite the system and that woman screwing him over. Say what you will about the accuser, but the system also makes it VERY easy for innocent people to be locked up.

Where is the rest of the justice in this story?? I'm thrilled this gentleman gets a second shot, but what about the woman who profitted by this? The accuser did so because she wanted to get rich, did so, admitted it, and TOLD HIM that the reason she never recanted her story is because she was afraid that she was going to have to give the money back!!! What kind of worthless lowlife does this to another human being AND gets away with it??

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